Preschool
Children engage with the rich opportunities in our thematic curriculum as they learn to play cooperatively, work collaboratively and solve problems.
Play-Based, Child-Centric Learning for Children 18 Months - PreK
Starting at 18 months, The River School helps children take the first steps from learning at home to learning in a school environment. We do this through play, which is the natural enterprise of young children. Our play-based curriculum provides opportunities to build foundational skills in a variety of areas including language, social-emotional awareness, self-regulation and problem solving.
Preschool faculty all hold masters’ degrees (same for Elementary and Upper Elementary divisions) and each classroom is co-taught by an educator and a speech language pathologist. Our teaching teams nurture and guide students as they explore through play in our dynamic, theme-based classrooms. Themes provide children with a wide range of multisensory experiences related to a chosen topic.
Educators and children work together during each theme to transform the classroom into a new realm, such as a fire station, bakery or doctor’s office. They dress up, take on new roles and acquire new skills and vocabulary as they construct knowledge about their expanding world.
Children explore the learning opportunities embedded in our thematic curriculum while they learn to play cooperatively, work collaboratively and solve problems. As they move through Preschool to PreK, children become increasingly independent, curious and creative. Each child begins to find their own voice.
Tracking Progress With a Trusted, Research-Based System
The River School uses Pearson’s The Work Sampling System® as the developmental framework for our curriculum in Preschool – Grade 3. It is a dynamic approach to both teaching and assessment that informs and reflects best practices. We employ this system to observe, foster growth and track each child’s progress. Every assessment is grounded in values about learning, instruction and supporting children in ways that enhance their development.
The Developmental Guidelines are divided into 4 domains for our Preschool students ages 18 months up to 3 years old:
- Social and Emotional
- Communication
- Cognitive Development
- Physical Development
The Developmental Guidelines are divided into seven domains for our Preschool (ages 3+) through Grade 3 students:
- Personal and Social Development
- Language and Literacy
- Social Studies
- Mathematical Thinking
- Scientific Thinking
- The Arts
- Physical Development and Health
